. >> reporter: an olive branch to the gop and carrot to corporate giants, including the bay area's google and apple. the administration now suggesting cutting corporate tax rates. the u.s. has among the world's highest. but closing loop holes that helped google, for instance, avoid $2 billion in taxes last year. >> corporations are concerned because they're not sure the extent to which exemptions would be eliminated. >> reporter: wells capital management senior economist gary slosberg is optimistic about a deal. >> i see it at least 50-50. >> reporter: what seems likely is to allow the country to go over that fiscal cliff triggering higher taxes. that would allow hard line republicans to vote for lower taxes a few days later. >> to make them look better? to appease voters? is that the reason? great. >> reporter: some call it a low form of political shenanigans rvlgs i think that it's horrible they would put the american people through that. i don't think it's fair to the american people. >> it will be the most colossal cons sequential act of congressional irresponsibility. >> reporter: wi